A Lagos High Court has approved a settlement between the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) and the producers of Gangs of Lagos over the film’s controversial depiction of the Eyo Masquerade.
Directed by Jade Osiberu and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, Gangs of Lagos premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 7, 2023. However, the film faced backlash for portraying Isale Eko as a crime-ridden area and the Eyo Masquerade as a violent gang.
In response, the IDU sued Amazon and the filmmakers, demanding N10 billion in damages. However, on February 20, Judge Idowu Alakija ruled that both parties had reached an amicable settlement.
As part of the court order:
The filmmakers and Amazon Prime must issue formal apologies for misrepresenting the Eyo Masquerade and Isale Eko’s cultural heritage.
The IDU and its affiliated chieftaincy families will withdraw all legal claims and agree not to pursue further lawsuits related to the film.
Court documents state: “The parties agree that this settlement is binding, and the applicants shall not initiate or continue any legal actions, claims, or complaints related to the subject matter.”
Reacting to the ruling, Adeniji Kazeem, chairman of the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, said the community “feels vindicated” by the decision. He also urged film censors to be more stringent in reviewing movies that incorporate cultural heritage.
“There is a strong need for Lagos State to revisit its constitutional rights to properly oversee the production and censorship of films that depict its cultural materials and resources,” Kazeem added.
